Building element



Dec 22, 1931. R, M L 1,837,374

BUILDING ELEMENT Filed Feb. 9, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec; 22, 1931. R. SAMUEL BUILDI-NG ELEMENT Filed Feb. 9, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 22, 1931 PATENT: oFFrcE RENE SAMUEL OF PARIS, FRANCE BUILDING ELEMENT Application filed February 9,1928, Serial No. 253,190, and in France February 18, 1927.

The present invention has for its object building elements characterized in that they are in the shape of hollow tetrahedra, having a trihedral right angle. Most generally there are materialized only the faces forming this .trihedral right angle, preferably in an open- .very much reduced.

It is possible to ut them together in a large number of diii rent ways, with a view to obtaining the most varied structures.

The accompanying drawings represent by way of example a constructional form of a building element according to the invention and show a certain number of combinations between elements of this type.

Fig. 1 shows one of the elements in perspectlve. 1

Fig. 2 shows a series of these elements fitting one into another for the purpose of transport.

Fig. 3 is an end view of a section of a box girder obtained by joining together four elements according to the invention.

Fig. 4 is a corresponding elevation.

Figs. 5 to 8 indicate several modes of arranging the elements in pairs.

Fig. 9 gives an example of using at the same time elements which are multiples of each other.

Figs. 10 to 12 show a certain number of structures that can be erected on the ground.

Figs. 13 and 14 show respectively an element and a combination of element fixed to a ceiling.

Fig. 15 relates to the fixing of elements along a wall FFigs. 16, 17 and 18 are modifications of l lach element (Fig. 1) is formed of two panels, 1, 1a, in the form of right-angled triangles, produced by joining bars together. The two panels 1 and 1a are identical; the large side of their right angle is equal to double the small side of that triangle. They are put together with their planes per endicular to each other and are braced at t eir baseby a third'panel 2 having the shape of an isosceles right-angled triangle with its right-angled apex truncated. The sides of this an is are appreciably shorter than the sides 0 the panels 1--'-1a with which they happen to be assembled.

The elements so formed may be fitted one within another (Fig. 2) and then occupy only a limited space, their transport being thus facilitated.

By putting together four of these elements, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a section of a box as girder is obtained. The different elements of this section are joined together by small lengths of angle iron .3, which pass between the panels 1, 1a, and the panel 2. These angle irons project on both sides'of the extremities of the section thus serving in addition for joining together adjacent sections whilst contributmg to the assembling r-E the latter.

The successive elementsof a structure can be assembled by superposition of theirpanels 2 (Fig. 8) or by a single side of the right angle of these panels (Fi 7).

There may also be considered combinations in which two elements are put together by their panels 1 or 1a whether these panels are so superposed (Fig. 5) or opposed to each other (Fig. 6). I

Instead of having only elements of identical dimensions there may also be employed elements which have dimensions, that are multiples of the ordinarypanels (4, Fig. 9).

With elements according to the invention it is possible to produce, for example, feet of posts (Fig. 6) by means of four 0 these elements combined as shown in Fig. 5.

Fig 11 shows a pylon, the pil arof which is formed by a box girder according to Figs. 3 and 4 carryin from one side to the other 0% its top a brae et constructed according to In similar manner a truss such as that shown in Fig. 12 may be formed.

Other structures may be suspended on a I ceiling, as in Figs. 13 and l l.

Brackets may also be formed against we wall by joining together two elements according to Fig. 5. These elements are applied to the wall either by their panel 2 or by panels 1, 1a.

These brackets, instead of being fixed directly to the wall can naturally form part of a more complicated combination fixed to the wall.

The building elements can also be formed according to the invention by three angle irons 5, 5 and 5 assembled perpendicularly to each other, the ends of these pieces of angle iron being joined together by pieces of hoop iron 6, 6, 6". The latter are in the same plane as the flanges of the angle irons that they join together (Fig. 16).

In the example represented, all the pieces constituting an-element are autogenous welding.

In order to obtain a passage for the joining angle iron 3 at the beginning of the angle iron 5, a notch is made at 8 in the bottom of the two angle irons 5, 5".

By making a similar notch in each of the other flanges of the angle irons 5', 5" (Fig. 17 there is made possible the passage of the joining angle iron 3 in'three directions perpendicular to each other; this provides the possibility of new combinations between the building elements according to the invention.

The same result may be obtained more simply by beating down at 9 the apex at joined together by j which the three angle irons 5, 5, 5 meet, in

such a manner as to truncate equally the central edge of all these angle irons.

The angle irons 5, 5 and 5 are then reinforced about their meeting point, as shown in Fig. 18.

The element according to the invention can, by being suitably assembled, permit the erection of entire structures and of houses capable of being taken to pieces, and, when reduced to the necessary extent, they may serve as instructive toys for children. v

What I claim is:

A building unit comprising three adjacent structural elements at right angles to each other limited by a plane inclined with respect to each of the three concurrent edges of A. the unit and provided with an aperture extending from the apex of the unit along each of said edges, whereby connectin organs such as angle irons can be inserte in said aperture in any of the three rectangular directions of the edges, and securing means for connecting members.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

RENE SAM UEL. 

